Vintage Electronics and Technology Repair

Company History

Originally founded in 1972 as Hamilton Typewriter and Office Products in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. As an authorized Facit dealer (later Ericsson) we provided factory service for Facit office machines such as calculators, personal computers (PC's), printers, video display terminals (VDT's), typewriters and word processors.

In 2010 we re-branded as Hercules Workshop and switched to a mail order / online business. While we still operate our repair shop, most people now send us machines to repair from around the world.

We relocated to Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada in 2018.

Typewriter and Calculator Repair

Hercules Workshop reconditions and repairs vintage typewriters and calculators. We still service and repair most model manual, electric and electronic typewriters and calculators in addition to most impact printers such as daisy wheel and dot matrix printers.

Electronic Typewriter Repair and Service

TYPEWRITER REPAIR

We still repair electronic typewriters.

If your typewriter has stopped working, not printing, poor printing, keyboard problems or is dead then we can take a look. Repairs to most makes and models. Flat shop service rate available (includes all labour and most parts).

TYPEWRITER MAINTENANCE

We recommend that your typewriter be adjusted, serviced, and lubricated by a qualified service technician at least once a year.

If you need help, contact us at robert.osborne@herculesworkshop.net or call ( 1-289-697-0897) and ask for Rob.

• If you'd like to clean your typewriter, use a mild soap to remove stains. Never use detergents, volatile liquids, treated cloths, harsh cleaning agents or sprays.
• Never attempt to disassemble your typewriter by yourself. Repairs should only be made by a qualified service technician.

Manual and Electric Typewriter Repair and Cleaning

TYPEWRITER REPAIR

We repair most models of manual (mechanical), electric and electronic vintage typewriters (Brother, Facit, Olivetti, Olympia AEG, IBM, Royal, Smith Corona and Underwood).

TYPEWRITER CLEANING

The oils and grease used in typewriters attract dust and other foreign material over time. They can accumulate on the latches, escapement, gears and other mechanisms affecting their operation.

Adding Machine and Calculator Repair

General repairs and cleaning of manual (mechanical), electric and electronic vintage calculators.

If your calculator has stopped working or isn't working properly anymore we can help with that. Repairs to most makes and models. Flat shop service rate available (includes all labour and most parts). If we can't fix it then you don't pay.

Need help? Contact us at robert.osborne@herculesworkshop.net
or call (1-289-697-0897) and ask for Rob.

The following procedures can in many cases help resolve difficulties you may have operating your electronic calculator.

• Be sure your power cord is properly plugged in and power switch is ON
• If your problem involves calculation errors or keyboard not responding; Press [C] and your calculator should display 0. Check switch settings and try calculations again. Turn power OFF and wait 10 seconds and turn ON.
• If no printing appears on paper; the printer switch maybe OFF and should be set to ON or IC. Ribbon or ink roller maybe incorrectly installed or need replacement.

Dot Matrix and Daisy Wheel Printer Repair (Impact Printers)

IMPACT PRINTER REPAIR

We still repair most models of impact printers (dot matrix and daisy wheel). General service and maintenance. Flat shop service rates that include labour and most parts.

We can resolve parallel and RS-232 printer port interface communication, dead / power supply, print quality and paper feed issues with your printer.

We're very good at repairing power supplies on these old impact printers and typewriters.

Have a Machine You Want Repaired?

Turn around time on repairs is usually 2-3 weeks depending on our repair backlog. If we can't fix your machine or fix it within the quoted repair cost then we'll contact you before proceeding any further. Repair costs do not include return shipping or insurance.

Electronic mail to : robert.osborne@herculesworkshop.net

You can also call us Monday to Saturday between 08:00 am and 18:00 pm
Eastern Time (GMT-5) - Telephone : 1-289-697-0897

Vintage Electronic and Mechanical Game Repair

We repair and recondition most Coleco, Entex, Mattel Electronics, Milton Bradley (MB Electronics) and Tomy vintage electronic handheld and tabletop games. We offer flat service rates that include parts and there's no charge if we're unable to fix. Multi-item repair rates available.

Vintage Mechanical Game Repair

HANDHELD / TABLETOP GAME REPAIR

Vintage handheld games in the early to mid 1970's were mostly mechanical and wind-up in nature, with simple components such as motors, gears, springs and lights. Our experience working on calculators and typewriters helps us in repairing these nice old mechanical games.

If your vintage mechanical handheld or tabletop game has stopped working or isn't working properly anymore then let us take a look.

Contact us at robert.osborne@herculesworkshop.net
or call 1-289-697-0897 and ask for Rob.

Vintage Electronic Handheld Game Repair

If your vintage electronic handheld or tabletop game has stopped working properly, no power, won't turn on, no sound, keys aren't working or other issues with functionality, we maybe able to help.

A lot of the OEM parts such as integrated circuits (IC's), transistors and other semi-conductors found in these games haven't been made in years. A lot of the time we're able to cross reference them to available modern substitutes or replacement parts.

Taking Care of your Game

• Treat your game as you would a fine calculator. Don't drop it.. don't leave it in a hot place, such as car glove compartment.. don't let it become wet or dirty.
• Remove the batteries, if game is to be stored away for more than a few weeks.
• If the display appears to malfunction, this can be the first sign of battery wear. A fresh battery should correct the problem in most cases.

Battery Strap, Jack and Switch Replacement

WE REPAIR OR REPLACE WORN AND DAMAGED PARTS

We use quality replacement parts for worn or damaged battery straps, switches, headphone and power jacks. Our replacements meet or exceed original manufacturer specifications.

Rubber Keypad Repair

EFFECTIVE REPAIRS TO WORN CONTACTS ON RUBBER KEYPADS

Do you have to press some buttons two or three times before you get a response? If your games keypad isn't working as it should we can fix that.

We use a flexible conductive silver coating to repair worn contacts on membrane pads and buttons. We use pure silver for maximum conductivity.

Have a Machine You Want Repaired?

Turn around time on repairs is usually 2-3 weeks depending on our repair backlog. If we can't fix your machine or fix it within the quoted repair cost then we'll contact you before proceeding any further. Repair costs do not include return shipping or insurance.

Electronic mail to : robert.osborne@herculesworkshop.net

You can also call us Monday to Saturday between 08:00 am and 18:00 pm
Eastern Time (GMT-5) - Telephone : 1-289-697-0897

Cable Manufacturing Process

We regularly make a wide variety of custom vintage computer cables. We are able to handle custom orders from a single cable to a medium sized order for multiple cables. All custom cables are fully tested and warrantied against defects in both materials and workmanship.

Custom Made Vintage Computer Cables

VINTAGE DATA AND VIDEO COMPUTER CABLES

We make custom vintage computer cables. High quality components, assembled by a professional technician.

Cable assemblies and components are Lead Free and RoHS Compliant. Shielded conductors are available for high EMI and noise rejection ratios.

Figure 1: Nearly completed custom 13 pin DIN coaxial double shielded cables, ready for final assembly and electrical continuity and mechanical stress testing.

Cable Assembly Fabrication

Difficult soldering problems, such as Solder Wicking, Insulation Damage, and Frayed Ends can develop when making terminations on stranded wire.

These types of problems can make it difficult to wrap a conductor around a terminal post or other terminating points.

Normally we make soldered connections by pretinning the leads that are to be soldered together to bond the strands of the conductor to prevent fraying during the crimping procedure.

Then we use insulation to insure each of the inner-insulated conductors and ground/shield lead are reinforced at the junction where the outer insulation was removed.

Figure 2: Completed 4 pos mini DIN with metal shield and cover removed to show insulated inner and outer conductors.

Cable Parts and Components

We use only the highest quality components, parts and materials available from top vendors in our cable assemblies. RoHS / Lead Free

Most vintage computer cables are some combination of D-Sub or circular DIN connectors. We maintain a large inventory of common DIN, D-Sub back shells and hoods.

QA Cable Inspection and Ohmmeter Testing

All our cables are fully tested prior to shipping and warrantied against defect in both materials and workmanship. We use two main categories of QA tests. In the first test, the electrical continuity between the ends of the cable are determined and in the second test, mechanical stress is placed on the cable assembly.

CONTINUITY TEST

This tests for the existence of three main conditions: a high resistance connection, an open connection or an incorrect connection. It can also be used to find cable shorts.

MECHANICAL (PULL) TEST

The strength of the cable assembly is determined in this test. Cables that are exposed to the repetitive actions of insertion and removal are stressed at specific areas of the cable. Major stress is normally placed on the cable connector ends. We test for changes in the electrical characteristics of the cable as external mechanical stresses are applied.

Ordering Information

To place an order or to receive a quote, simply contact us with details of what you're trying to connect or what the cable will be used for, we may have already made one or something similar and have the specifications in our database.

Vintage custom cables can be ordered un-packaged or in labeled custom packaging. We're able to handle orders from a single cable up to medium sized orders for multiple cables.

Electronic mail to : robert.osborne@herculesworkshop.net

You can also call us Monday to Saturday between 08:00 am and 18:00 pm
Eastern Time (GMT-5) - Telephone : 1-289-697-0897

Product Descriptions

Sorry, this section is
still under construction.

Product Categories

We apologize but we still haven't copied all of the product descriptions from our old website yet. We're still migrating and updating product descriptions from our old website.

• Electronic and Mechanical Typewriters for Sale
• Electronic and Mechanical Games for Sale

Contact and Ordering Information

If you require any additional information or if you have any comments, we'd like to hear from you. We can be contacted by any of the methods below. We would appreciate it if you would give us your name in any communications so we know who you are.

Thanks,
Rob from Hercules Workshop

Contact Hercules Workshop

Write to us (Electronic Mail); robert.osborne@herculesworkshop.net	Telephone - Monday to Saturday 08:00 - 18:00 Eastern; 1-289-697-0897
Write to us (Letter Mail); Hercules Workshop Division of 2251434 Ontario Inc. 4594 Armoury Street Niagara Falls, Ontario L2E 1S6 Canada	Electronic Bulletin Board (BBS); telnet://bbs.herculesworkshop.net (Temporarily down while we correct a server fault)

Sending Items for Repair

It's usually best to contact us before shipping items to us for repair, just so we'll be expecting them. You can either call us or write to us at the below email box. We recommend shipping insured parcel post.

• Pack your item carefully in its original box. If the box is not available, use a strong carton with plenty of newspaper or other padding.
• Enclose a brief note telling us the specific problem you are having with the unit and your name and address. Remove any batteries.

Shipping Address:

Hercules Workshop
Division of 2251434 Ontario Inc.
4594 Armoury Street
Niagara Falls, Ontario L2E 1S6 Canada

Mail Order

For those who don't want to shop online, all our products are available via Mail Order and can be ordered by sending check or money order to the above address.

Please do not send cash or coins through the mail. No C.O.D orders will be accepted.

You can also order using email by writing to our general mailbox robert.osborne@herculesworkshop.net. After we receive your order we'll send an electronic invoice through PayPal. You can pay using your Debit Card, Credit Card or your PayPal account.

Online Ordering

We offer several fun and interesting ways to order online. We have an online store on a traditional site, eBay as well as a newer site, Etsy. Both are very popular, safe, and secure online marketplaces.

You can also order on the old Hercules Workshop website as its online store is still operational. Prices on our own site tend to be cheaper as we don't need to kick a percentage of each sale back to platform providers.

The below hyper-links are external and should open a new browser window that will take you to another page on the web

• eBay store, https://www.ebay.ca/str/herculesworkshop
• Etsy shop, https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/HerculesWorkshop